Effects of anticoagulants in patients with cirrhosis-related portal vein thrombosis

Anticoagulation has been recommended for the primary management of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and the purpose of anticoagulation therapy is to prevent the extension of thrombosis and to improve recanalization (40–80%) (1). Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is widely used as a front-line therapy to induce rapid anticoagulation. Different from non-cirrhotics patients, PVT is common in cirrhotic patients despite the clinical manifestation of hypocoagulable state and thrombocytosis (2).